Each week from here to the end of the season, we’ll assess Detroit’s standing in the NFC North and NFC wild-card races.

And as of now, the Lions are right in the middle of the hunt in both situations.

Detroit

Record: 10-4

Remaining opponents record: 15-12*Bears play Monday night

Seed as of now: No. 2

Games left: at Chicago, at Green Bay.

NFC North:

Green Bay

Record: 10-4

Remaining opponents record: 12-16

Games left: at Tampa Bay, Detroit

Seed as of now: No. 6

Lions interests: This scenario breaks down like this. If Detroit wins and Green Bay loses in Week 16, the Lions clinch the NFC North no matter what happens in Week 17 due to overall conference record. In any other scenario -- wins by both teams, losses by both teams or a Lions loss and Packers win -- would make the Week 17 game at Lambeau Field for the NFC North title.

NFC:

Top seed/NFC bye:

Arizona

Record: 11-3

Seed as of now: No. 1

Remaining opponents record: 17-11

Who they have left: vs. Seattle, at San Francisco

What needs to happen for the Lions to get the No. 1 seed: The only way the Lions can be the No. 1 overall seed is if Detroit wins out and neither Arizona nor Seattle reaches 12 wins. Otherwise, the Lions cannot be the No. 1 seed.

Wild-card race:

Dallas

Record: 10-4

Remaining opponents record: 13-15

Games left: Indianapolis, at Washington

Seed as of now: No. 3

Lions interests: For the purposes of seeding and guaranteeing a playoff berth, Detroit could use at least one loss by Dallas in the next two weeks. The Lions hold the tiebreaker over the Cowboys due to a better conference record.

Philadelphia

Record: 9-5

Remaining opponents record: 8-20

Games left: at Washington, at New York Giants

Seed as of now: Out of playoffs

Lions interests: A loss by the Eagles clinches a playoff berth for the Lions. A win by Detroit next Sunday also makes Philadelphia’s situation meaningless due to the Lions holding the tiebreaker.

Seattle

Record: 10-4

Remaining opponents record: 17-11

Games left: at Arizona, St. Louis

Seed as of now: No. 5 seed

Lions interests: Seattle owns the tiebreaker over the Lions, as does Arizona. The rest of the NFC, along with Detroit, would probably prefer to not see the Seahawks with the No. 1 overall seed. So an Arizona win next Sunday would be beneficial for the Lions. As of now, it looks like both Arizona and Seattle will make the playoffs. So if Detroit made the playoffs and ended up tied with either NFC West team, the Lions would end up as the No. 6 seed.